Eco-innovation in Slovenia EIO Country Profile 2018-2019
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Eco-innovation in Slovenia
EIO Country Profile
2018-2019
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Eco-Innovation Observatory
The Eco-Innovation Observatory functions as a platform for the structured collection and
analysis of an extensive range of eco-innovation and circular economy information, gathered from across the European Union and key economic regions around the globe, providing a much-needed integrated information source on eco-innovation for companies and innovation service providers, as well as providing a solid decision-making basis for policy development.
The Observatory approaches eco-innovation as a persuasive phenomenon present in all economic sectors and therefore relevant for all types of innovation, defining eco-innovation as:
“Eco-innovation is any innovation that reduces the use of natural resources and decreases the release of harmful substances across the whole life-cycle”.
To find out more, visit www.eco-innovation.eu and ec.europa.eu/environment/ecoap
Any views or opinions expressed in this report are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of the European Commission.
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Eco-Innovation Observatory
Country Profile 2018-2019: Slovenia
Author: Danijel Crnčec, PhD
Coordinator of the work package: Technopolis Group Belgium
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Acknowledgments
The author would like to thank for their valuable contribution in the preparation of this report
to:
Mrs. Marija Čebular Zajec, Ministrstvo za gospodarski razvoj in tehnologijo [Ministry of
Economic Development and Technology],
Mrs. Simona Černel, Slovenski podjetniški sklad [Slovene Enterprise Fund],
Mrs. Marjana Dermelj, Služba vlade za razvoj in evropsko kohezijsko politiko [Government
Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy],
Dr. prof. Maja Bučar, Center za mednarodne odnose, Univerza v Ljubljani [Centre for
International Relations, University of Ljubljana],
Mr. Jurij Giacomelli, Giacomelli Media Management and Consulting Ltd,
Dr. prof. Barbara Bradač Hojnik, Univerza v Mariboru [University of Maribor],
Mr. Jaka Kranjc, Društvo Ekologi brez meja [Ecologists Without Borders Association],
Dr. Dragica Marinič and Mrs. Nina Meglič, SRIP – Krožno gospodarstvo [SRIP – Circular
Economy],
Mr. Aleš Pevc and Mrs. Majda Potokar, Tehnološki park Ljubljana [Technology Park Ljubljana],
Dr. Metka Stare, Center za mednarodne odnose, Univerza v Ljubljani [Centre for International
Relations, University of Ljubljana],
Mrs. Zala Strojin Božič, Mestna občina Ljubljana [City of Ljubljana].
A note to Readers
Any views or opinions expressed in this report are solely those of the authors and do not
necessarily reflect the position of the European Union. A number of companies are presented
as illustrative examples of eco-innovation in this report. The EIO does not endorse these
companies and is not an exhaustive source of information on innovation at the company level.
This brief is available for download from
https://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecoap/country_profiles_en
A longer version of this draft brief is available for download from https://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecoap/sites/ecoap_stayconnected/files/eio_country_profile_2018-2019_slovenia_long_version.pdf
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Table of contents
Summary .............................................................................................................. 3
Introduction .......................................................................................................... 4
1 | Eco-innovation performance ...................................................................... 5
2 | Selected circular economy and eco-innovation areas and new trends ......... 9
3 | Barriers and drivers to circular economy and eco-innovation in Slovenia .. 14
4 | Policy landscape in Slovenia ..................................................................... 17
REFERENCES ........................................................................................................ 25
ANNEX: Policy strategies and instruments ........................................................... 30
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Summary
Slovenia is a small and open economy, largely dependent on the international economic
environment. The country is also the third most forested in Europe, abundant with natural
capital, and endowed with a high level of biodiversity and rich natural habitats.
Slovenia experienced a significant decrease in the overall Eco-innovation index for 2019
compared to 2017 (94, respectively 115). It performed below the EU average and ranked 15th
in the EU-28. The analysis of separate index components, where some indicators have been
modified since the 2018 version, reveals that Slovenia performed close to the EU average in
all components with the exception of the Resource efficiency outcomes component, where it
performed significantly below the EU average. Despite an overall improvement compared to
2017, material productivity, water productivity, energy productivity and GHG emissions
intensity, remain the main challenges for the country on its path to a climate neutral and
circular society.
In 2018 and 2019 the trends spotted in previous years continued. The business sector remains
the key generator of R&D, whereas the country is still lagging behind its (Barcelona) objective
of 3% GDP investments in R&D by 2020. The leading area for circular economy and eco-
innovation remains manufacturing industry, where automotive companies and electric
mobility, energy efficiency in buildings and sustainable construction, efficient electric
equipment, smart metering technologies and pharmacy lead the way forward. Besides these
areas, developments towards circular economy in the agricultural and food sector have to be
pointed out. Green, sustainable and responsible development became the pillar of Slovenian
tourism. Also, the areas of (sustainable) mobility and forest-based value chains have been
recognized as priority areas for transition to a green and circular economy.
Overall, certain, mostly large, companies continue to pave the way, however, also SMEs are
gradually taking parts in circular networks and projects. The main drivers to circular economy
and eco-innovation in Slovenian companies remain the competitive pressure and the
European common market. Besides the business enterprise sector also cities and
municipalities, as well as the non-governmental sector continue to represent the key drivers
in the promotion of a more sustainable lifestyle and development of eco-innovative and
circular products and solutions.
Digitalisation acts as one of the conditions and as a facilitator, which can significantly enhance
the development of new circular business models. It is not expected to bring circular solutions
per se, rather, it is seen as a catalyst, if strategic decisions are adopted to introduce new
business or policy circular models. Important barriers remain, inter alia, complex
administrative or legal procedures, lack of expertise to implement circular activities, as well
as lack of human resources on all levels and difficulties in assessing finance.
Finally, certain positive regulatory and political developments have taken place since 2015. A clear collective political action towards more green and circular economy policies has been initiated. Nevertheless, a lack of an integrated policy or framework focusing on eco-innovations in Slovenia and a (stronger) political leadership that would lead the transition in a circular economy remains.
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Introduction
Slovenia, one of the smallest countries in Europe with 2 million inhabitants, is tucked between
Italy, Austria, Croatia and Hungary. It is characterised by a great diversity in landscape, flora
and fauna because of different climatic and geomorphologic features of the Alpine,
Mediterranean and Pannonian regions. Its most important natural resources are water,
forests, karst landscape and biodiversity. Since the 1980s, national campaigns have been
focused on this potential, resulting in political and social awareness and engagement for a
positive development model. Innovative business enterprise sector has always represented
the main driver to circular economy and eco-innovation. In the previous years an increasingly
important drivers have become also cities and municipalities, as well as the non-governmental
sector, which promote a more sustainable lifestyle, circular and eco-innovative development.
Already in 2015 Slovenia supported the Commission’s approach to “close the loop” and
established the “Partnership for Slovenia’s Green Economy”, which should pave the way for
the transition to a green economy. Since then, significant policy developments have taken
place, nonetheless, important challenges remain for circular economy and eco-innovation in
Slovenia.
One of the main challenges, inter alia, is the national legislation, which does not follow the
developments at the EU level, whereas certain administrative and legal procedures, due to
their complexity or length, even discourage the introduction of circular solutions. An example
is inconsistent or complicated waste legislation, especially on ‘end-of-waste’ issue, and on
issues pertaining to use of secondary raw materials. Slovenia has also been repeatedly
encountering significant problems with packaging waste, that has been piling up at waste
collecting utilities.
Slovenia also remains far from the Barcelona objective of 3% of GDP for R&D by 2020. In 2018,
2% of GDP were allocated to R&D, whereas the business enterprise sector accounted for 1.4%
of GDP (i.e. 74%). Government budget allocations for R&D reached only 0.42% of GDP. Funds
from abroad (mainly the EU funding) thus remain an important source of funding for R&D.
An important challenge remains access to sources of financing. Long and often inefficient
administrative procedures and sporadic financial incentives only partially encourage a
systematic and comprehensive transition to the circular economy. Slovenian companies also
encounter issues related to the cost of meeting regulations or standards, lack of expertise to
implement these activities and lack of human resources. In fact, the lack of expertise and
adequate human resources on all levels has also been explicitly identified as the key challenge
and barrier for successful implementation of energy and climate policies and objectives by
2030.
Finally, certain positive regulatory and political developments have taken place since 2015. A
clear collective political action towards more green and circular economy policies has been
initiated. Nonetheless, many challenges remain. E.g. several attempts to initiate green budget
reform have taken place in recent years, however, unsuccessfully. One of the toughest
challenges remain low material productivity (the ratio between GDP and use of resources) and
high energy intensity of the economy (where transport sector significantly contributes
considerably to the negative picture). One of the important barriers remains a lack of an
integrated policy or framework focusing on eco-innovations in Slovenia and a political
leadership that would lead the transition to a circular economy.
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1 | Eco-innovation performance
The overall Eco-innovation Index 2019 for Slovenia is 94 (see Figure 1 below), placing Slovenia on 15th rank and below the EU average. Slovenia composite index has significantly deteriorated compared to 2017, when it was at 115 (placing Slovenia just behind the leading eco-innovative countries).1
The analysis in this section is based on the EU 28 Eco-innovation Index (EcoI Index) for the year 2019. The Eco-innovation index demonstrates the eco-innovation performance of a country compared with the EU average and with the EU top performers. EcoI Index is a composite index that is based on 16 indicators which are aggregated into five components: eco-innovation inputs, eco-innovation activities and eco-innovation outputs as well as environmental outcomes and socio-economic outcomes
Figure 1 EU28 Eco-innovation Index 2019, composite index
Source: EIO, 2019
The Eco-innovation composite index 2019 for Slovenia reveals that Slovenia performed close to the EU average in four index components, i.e. Eco-innovation inputs (106), Eco-innovation activities (98), Eco-innovation outputs (107) and Socio-economic outcomes (95). However, the country performed significantly below the EU average in the Resource efficiency outcomes component (73), ranking only 20th in this index component.
1 The Eco-innovation composite index has been published and disseminated also by the Slovenian Environment Agency (available at http://kazalci.arso.gov.si/en/content/eco-innovation).
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Figure 2 Five components of the Eco-innovation index for Slovenia 2019
Source: EIO, 2019
Figure 3 All indicators of the Eco-innovation index for Slovenia, 2019
Source: EIO, 2019
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A more detailed examination of the Eco-innovation inputs component for Slovenia shows that
Governments environmental and energy R&D appropriations and outlays (share of GDP)
equalled the EU average (0,04%) (2018 data). Total R&D personnel and researchers (share of
total employment) was well above the EU average (1,65%, respectively 1,48%) (2018 data) on
account of a well-established policy of funding young researchers by the Slovenian Research
Agency since 1985. Total value of green early stage investments (USD/cap), 2016-2019, was
slightly below the EU average (53 USD/cap, respectively 55 USD/cap). Eco-innovation inputs
component for Slovenia in 2019 was significantly lower than in 2017, however, it should be
noted that data on total value of green early investments were not available in 2017. Overall,
Slovenia performed well in Eco-innovation inputs component reaching 106% of the EU
average and ranked 9th amongst 28 EU Member States.
Table 1 Eco-innovation inputs component for Slovenia 2019
1.1 Governments environmental and energy R&D appropriations
and outlays (Share of GDP)
1.2 Total R&D personnel and researchers (Share of
total employment)
1.3 Total value of green early stage investments (USD/cap) 1.EI
Input Index
(mean)
Original data (in %)
Index Original data (in
%) Index
Investments per capita (original data)
Index
EU AVERAGE 0,0400 0,50 1,48 0,52 55 0,22 100
Slovenia 2019 0,0400 0,50 1,65 0,60 53 0,21 106
Source: EIO, 2019
The Eco-innovation activities component reveals that Slovenia performed well below the EU
average in implementation of resource efficiency actions among SMEs (1,56, respectively
1,87; 2017 data) (new indicator). The country performed slightly above the EU average in
implementation of sustainable products among SMEs (% of enterprises) (0,26, respectively
0,25; 2017 data) (new indicator). In ISO 14001 registered organisations Slovenia performed
well above the EU average (209, respectively 172 per million; 2018 data). Overall, Slovenia
reached 98% of the EU average and ranked 13th in the Eco-innovation activities component.
Table 2 Eco-innovation activities component for Slovenia 2019 2.1. Implementation of resource efficiency actions among SMEs
(score)
2.2. Implementation of sustainable products among SMEs (% of
enterprises)
2.3 ISO 14001 registered organisations (per mln pop) 2. EI
Activity index
(mean) Original data Index Original data Index ISO 14001 registered organisations per mln
population Index
EU AVERAGE 1,87 0,79 0,25 0,53 172 0,29 100
Slovenia 2019 1,56 0,60 0,26 0,57 209 0,41 98
Source: EIO, 2019
The Eco-innovation outputs component of the composite index reveals that Slovenia remains far below the EU average in Eco-innovation related patents (10,31, respectively 17,37 patents per million; 2016 data). Slovenia performed better in Eco-innovation related publications than the EU average (6,29, respectively 4,66 publications per million; 2018 data). The country also performed better in Eco-innovation related media coverage than the EU average (351,29, respectively 329,87 per million; 2019 data). Overall, Slovenia performed well in the Eco-innovation outputs component reaching 107% of the EU average and ranked 11th in the EU.
Table 3 Eco-innovation outputs component for Slovenia 2019
3.1 Eco-innovation related patents (per mln pop)
3.2 Eco-innovation related publications (per mln pop)
3.3 Eco-innovation related media coverage (per mln pop) 3. EI output
index (mean)
No of eco-patents per mln pop
(original data) Index
No of publications per mln pop
(original data) Index
Hits per mln population
(original data) Index
EU AVERAGE 17,37 0,48 4,66 0,33 329,87 0,35 100
Slovenia 2019 10,31 0,37 6,29 0,48 351,29 0,38 107
Source: EIO, 2019
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The Resource efficiency outcomes continues to represent the weakest component of the Eco-
innovation index for Slovenia. Despite the improvements compared to previous years,
Slovenia remains far below the EU average in all three productivity indicators (2018 data for
material and energy productivity, 2016 data for water productivity) and slightly below the EU
average in GHG emissions intensity (2017 data). Overall, Slovenia performed well below the
EU average in the Resource efficiency outcomes component reaching solely 73% of the EU
average and ranked only 20th in the EU. As such, the Resource efficiency outcome component
remains one of the main challenges for Slovenia in future.
Table 4 Resource efficiency outcomes component for Slovenia 2019
4.1 Material productivity (GDP/Domestic Material
Consumption, €/kg)
4.2 Water productivity (GDP/total fresh water
abstraction, €/m³)
4.3 Energy productivity (GDP/gross inland energy
consumption, €/toe)
4.4 GHG emissions intensity
(CO2e/GDP)
4. Resource efficiency outcomes
Index
(original data) Index (original
data) Index
(mean) Index
(original data)
Index (mean)
EU AVERAGE 2,28 0,46 70 0,16 9,85 0,43 0,28 0,57 100
Slovenia 2019 1,86 0,33 56 0,12 8,20 0,27 0,31 0,46 73
Source: EIO, 2019
The Socio-economic outcomes component reveals that Slovenia performed well below the EU
average in export of products from eco-industries (0,61%, respectively 0,70% of total export;
2018 data) despite a significantly higher share of total employment in eco-industries
compared to the EU average (2,13%, respectively 1,41%; 2017 data). Turnover (revenue) in
eco-industries in % of total revenue across all companies in Slovenia was also significantly
below the EU average (1,23%, respectively 1,79%; 2017 data). Overall, Slovenia performed
slightly below the EU average in Socio-economic outcomes component reaching 95% of the
EU average and ranked 12th in the EU.
Table 5 Socio-economic outcomes component for Slovenia 2019
5.1 Exports of products from eco-industries (% of total
exports)
5.2 Employment in eco-industries (% of total employment across all
companies)
5.3 Turnover (revenue) in eco-industries (% of total revenue
across all companies) 5. Socio-
economic outcome
Index (mean) Share Eco-industry
goods in total export (original data)
Index Eco-Industry
employment in % of total employment
Index Eco-industry revenue, in % of total revenue
(original data) Index
EU Average 0,70 0,61 1,41 0,21 1,79 0,49 100
Slovenia 2019 0,61 0,53 2,13 0,43 1,23 0,27 95
Source: EIO, 2019
Finally, Slovenia experienced a significant decrease in the overall Eco-innovation index for 2019 compared to 2017 (94, respectively 115). The country performed below the EU average and ranked 15th in the EU-28. The analysis of separate index components, where some indicators were modified since the 2018 version, reveals that Slovenia performed close to the EU average in four components (i.e. the Eco-innovation inputs component, the Eco-innovation activities component, the Eco-innovation outputs component, and the Socio-economic outcomes component), whereas the country performed significantly below the EU average in the Resource efficiency outcomes component. Slovenia performed very well in e.g. total R&D personnel and researchers, as well as in ISO 14001 registered organisations, whereas the country remained far below the EU average in e.g. eco-innovation related patents. Moreover, despite an improvement compared to 2017, Slovenia performed significantly below the EU average in material productivity, water productivity, energy productivity and GHG emissions intensity, which thus remain main challenges for the country on its path to a climate neutral and circular society.
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2 | Selected circular economy and eco-innovation areas and new trends
Slovenia, with a well-educated population and preserved natural environment, has a relatively favourable starting point for a transition to a circular economy. Already in 2015 the Framework Programme for the Transition to a Green Economy was adopted. It was based on the concept of green economy, which was perceived as an important opportunity for Slovenia to boost its economic development and decrease its environmental impact.2 Slovenian companies, in general, are not highly competitive and do not have a very high value added per employee, or material and energy productivity. In 2016, e.g. the highest added value was generated by manufacturing companies, which was almost 40% below the EU average (Širec et al, 2017).
The survey conducted in 2014, which focused primarily on small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) and their attitudes towards eco-innovations and eco-design (Glasenčnik et al. in 2018 country report), revealed that already more than half of respondent companies systematically developed human resources in eco-innovations and more than three quarters followed the principles of eco-design. Companies developing eco-innovations focused primarily on products and not services or business practices. The respondent companies pointed out they were willing to invest in eco-design and eco-innovations. In 2016 Eurobarometer (2016a, p. 3) revealed that 70% of the SMEs in Slovenia already undertook some circular economy related activity (EU average 73%), while 30% did not undertake any activities. Slovenian companies were mostly undertaking activities to minimise waste (by recycling, reusing or selling it to another company) (53%), re-planning energy usage to minimise consumption (40%) and redesigning products and services to minimise the use of materials or use recycled materials (30%). Slovenian companies were, however, in general lagging behind the EU.
In the Roadmap Towards the Circular Economy in Slovenia (adopted in 2018; see the chapter in Policy landscape) four priority areas with most potential for the circular economy in Slovenia were recognised, i.e. food system, forest-based value chains, manufacturing, and mobility. A look back reveals, that most of these areas had already been pointed out either directly or indirectly through good practice examples in the past country profiles.
Many circular developments have taken place in the area of food system, especially in relation to reducing food waste, and promoting sustainable/organic farming and sustainable tourism. Numerous kindergartens, schools, hospitals, and other public institutions have been aiming to establish short(er) food supply chains with local eco-suppliers and prevent food waste. Sustainable/organic farming has been increasing in importance, e.g. integrated production of indoor vegetables with the help of geothermal energy by Lušt association (Lušt, n.d.). The number of organic farms or producers, the number of certificates, as well as the extent of ecologically treated surfaces has been growing (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, 2020). Locally grown and processed food has been successfully promoted (see e.g. the project “Our Super Food”). Buying locally produced food has also experienced an unprecedented boom with the use of social networks during the outbreak of the Covid-19 in 2020.
An important issue is the digitalisation of the agriculture sector. Some big producers and bigger professional farms have started using digital solutions, e.g. Perutnina Ptuj and Panvita
2 The concept of “Green Economy” aims to encourage transition from a linear to a circular economy. It puts the circular economy , which is focused on waste management, waste prevention and resource efficiency, in its centre, and furthermore includes also human well-being and ecosystem resilience (EEA, 2015).
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(Prvi, 2017). Nevertheless, the National Council of the Republic of Slovenia estimated (2019), that Slovenia was lagging behind in the use of rapidly evolving digitization in agriculture.
Green, sustainable and responsible development should also become the pillar of Slovenian tourism (see the Strategy of the Sustainable Growth of Slovenian Tourism for 2017-2021 adopted in October 2017). The “Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism” (Zelena shema slovenskega turizma) has been actively promoted, i.e. a national programme and certification scheme encouraging destinations and accommodation providers to acquire the “Slovenian Green Accommodation” sign, which is based on the internationally adopted environmental signs (EU Eco Label, Emas, Ecocamping, etc.) (Government of Slovenia, n.d.). Also, the Association of Municipalities and Towns of Slovenia has become active in circular tourism. It successfully participates in the international CircE Project Consortium, i.e. European Regions toward Circular Economy. Its Action Plan for Circular Tourism presents the identified options, obstacles, and recommendations for the tourism sector or for establishing circular economy models (Association of Municipalities and Towns of Slovenia, 2020).
In the forest based value chains there are already well-developed eco-innovation areas, such as energy efficiency in buildings and sustainable construction with several leading companies, e.g. Trimo, Lumar, Knauf Insulation, Riko, M Sora and also other SMEs developing innovative energy efficient products and nearly zero-energy buildings (see good practice of M Sora in 2015). Also, there are some evolving practices of establishing new comprehensive value chains, e.g. the CELCYCLE project, which brings together 21 partners coming from the entire value chain and focuses on the cascading use of biomass, thereby representing a model example of the introduction of a circular bio-economy in Slovenia (see good practice example in 2018) (CelCycle, n.d). Nonetheless, many stakeholders have pointed out that opportunities in the development of wood chains still remain largely unused (Roadmap Towards the Circular Economy in Slovenia, 2018, 34).
The manufacturing industry has been one of the main and most export-oriented Slovenian sectors, while at the same time one of the main consumers of materials, water and energy (Roadmap Towards the Circular Economy in Slovenia, 2018). The leading areas for eco-innovation remain automotive and electric equipment companies, e.g. Hidria, Elaphe, etc. (good practices in 2010 and 2015). Further, important areas are efficient electric equipment (good practices of Domel below and in 2018, Gorenje in 2017 and 2013) and smart metering technologies (good practice of Iskraemeco below and in 2018). Another important generator of eco-innovation in Slovenia remains pharmacy with companies Krka and Lek (now a Sandoz company) developing new processes for manufacturing pharmaceuticals in a more efficient and ecologically acceptable manner (good practice of Krka in 2018).
NZ 270 Motor
NZ 270 motor is a new electric motor by Domel. It is
expected that the future legislation will increasingly restrict
the use of induction motors in combination with the
frequency converter. The new Domel motor should thus
represent a worldwide novelty in this field, as it achieves
96% efficiency using standard sheet metal, ferrite magnets
and low material utilization. As such it exceeds the highest
requirements of the EU energy efficiency legislation.
It can be used in fans (plug in, axial, single inlet centrifugal forward/backward curved), pumps,
air compressors or industrial machines.
In 2019 NZ 270 Motor received a National gold medal for innovation by the Chamber of
Commerce and Industry of Slovenia. In addition to receiving the gold medal, the innovation
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has also been endorsed by the world’s most renowned online service providers, which are
using the motors in large data centres.
Keywords: EC motor, high-power HVAC motor, Domel,
Sources:
• Domel technicians receive national gold medal for innovation, available at:
https://www.domel.com/news/2019-10-09-Domel-technicians-receive-national-gold-
medal-for-innovation
• Motor NZ 270, available at: https://www.domel.com/products-en/motor-nz270-1521/
To maintain international competitiveness, compliance with circular principles has become increasingly important and certain Slovenian manufacturing companies demonstrate significant development of circular products and processes. They also remain to be the key generator of R&D in Slovenia and continue to pave the way for eco-innovation and circular economy development.
Iskraemeco’s Fair Meter project
Iskraemeco’s Fair Meter project is based on the integration of sustainable development into
the company’s business model and strategy. The project focuses on Iskraemeco’s activities
across the supply chain and on raising awareness on the issue among customers, industries
and in the broader business environment.
The original idea behind Iskraemeco’s innovation was to make an electricity meter that applies
the fair economy principles. The concept behind the original Fair Meter, AM550, has evolved
into a comprehensive company-wide sustainable development strategy, which integrates the
principles of sustainability and circular economy into the company products and processes
across all levels. The main focus of the Fair Meter is raw materials, their origin, labour
standards and the promotion of higher industry standards. Other important components
include education, training, and raising awareness on the issue among customers, suppliers,
and other stakeholders.
In 2018 Iskraemeco’s Fair Meter project received the company’s second consecutive golden
award for innovation by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia. It was also
chosen as one of the best practice examples of the circular economy in the Danube region (EU
co-funded project MOVECO – Moving from a linear to a circular economy).
Keywords: Iskraemeco, Fair Meter project, company business model and strategy
Sources:
• Golden award for Iskraemeco’s Fair Meter innovation, 2018, available at: https://www.iskraemeco.com/en/golden-award-for-iskraemecos-fair-meter-innovation/
• Best Practice Examples of the Circular Economy in the Danube Region, p. 13, available at: http://www.interreg-danube.eu/uploads/media/approved_project_output/0001/17/b1b4df1ac3b97b764fdf792ce13c7e15e4ae91a1.pdf
Slovenian metallurgical and steel industry continues to strive for sustainable development and growth. The company Talum is one of the most energy efficient and environmentally-friendly producers of electrolytic aluminium and aluminium alloys in the world (Finance, 2019a; Talum, n.d.). In 2019 it received the Environmental award (Finance, 2019b). Another good practice is exploiting waste heat from industry for district heating developed jointly by the SIJ Group company Metal Ravne and Petrol Energetika (2015 report).
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Besides these areas, where the focus primarily rests on energy efficiency, some manufacturing companies focus on reuse and recycling. A good example is Aquafil and its Ljubljana based factory (AquafilSlo) with the innovative ECONYL® Regeneration System, i.e. a process, that enables the transformation of the nylon, contained in waste, such as carpets, clothing and fishing nets, back into raw material without any loss of quality (good practice in 2015).
Certain developments have taken place also in the field of plastic packaging on account of problems with packaging waste (Kranjc, 2020), that has been piling up at waste collecting utilities (STA, 2020). In parallel, the share of products and materials from recycled and biologically degradable materials has been increasing (Čebular Zajec, 2020). Good practice examples are companies Donar and Skaza, that ranked first and second in the MOVECO Innovation Competition "Circular Design of the Year 2019" (Interreg-Danube, 2019). Donar is a manufacturer of recycled furniture (Donar, n.d.), while Skaza creates innovations in the field of advanced, environmentally friendly plastic materials and technologies, e.g. a coffee cup made from sugar cane (Skaza, 2019).
In the field of sustainable mobility different modes of shared mobility have already developed in Slovenia, such as Bicikelj (bicycle sharing) (see good practice in 2011) and Avant2Go (electric car sharing) as well as innovative smart platforms for shared passenger transport (prevoz.org) and smart management of transport (see good practice of GoOpti in 2013). A good example of R&D cooperation in the automotive sector is the Automotive Cluster of Slovenia that takes part in the Strategic Research Innovation Partnership ACS+. Its Edison project (Eco Driving Innovative SOlutions and Networking) aims to position Slovenia as a reference country for green mobility (SRIPACS+, 2017). However, sustainable mobility will represent one the biggest challenges for Slovenia in its transition to climate neutral and circular economy due to dispersed settlement and its transit character (NECP, 2020).
Digitalisation plays an important role in promoting circular economy and eco-innovation development. This has become apparent particularly during the Covid-19 crisis that forced companies to include digital innovations in their business models (Černel, 2020). However, stakeholders assess that digitalisation will not bring circular solutions per se, as it can serve linear as well as circular economy models equally well (Dermelj, 2020; Giacomelli, 2020). In Slovenia it is most propulsive in the transport sector (Marinič and Meglič, 2020), nevertheless, it increasingly contributes to circular developments also in other sectors (see good practice example of Roto below). Another good practice example is the project to improve the international competitiveness and export intensity of Slovenian SMEs through sustainable business transformation (Bradač Hojnik, 2020; Spirit, 2020).
Eco Box SBR-Q
Roto has developed the EcoBox SBR-Q treatment plant,
which is supported by smart remote control monitoring
technology and equipped with a system for transferring
and converting data from the waste water treatment plant
EcoBox to a smart device. Telemetric performance
monitoring reduces operating and servicing costs, enables
timely ordering of services, quick access to technical
documentation and easy switching between day-to-day
and holiday mode of operation.
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The Eco Box SBR-Q municipal wastewater treatment plant
achieves high purification effects and provides reduced
power consumption through a computer-controlled
wastewater treatment system. In 2019 The Eco Box SBR-Q
municipal wastewater treatment plant received a National
gold medal for innovation by the Chamber of Commerce
and Industry of Slovenia.
Keywords: wastewater treatment plant, computer-
controlled, Eco box, Roto
Source:
• ROTO products selected among the most
environmentally friendly in 2019, available at:
https://rotoeco.eu/en/roto-products-selected-among-most-environmentally-friendly-
2019
Finally, in the last two years awareness and understanding about the necessity of transition to circular economy in Slovenia has increased significantly (Stare, 2020; Giacomelli, 2020; Čebular Zajec, 2020; Dermelj, 2020; Pevc and Potokar, 2020; Marinič and Meglič, 2020). An important enhancing factor has been the problem of piling of packaging waste and waste in general in Slovenia, as well as the EU developments, related with the introduction of the Green Deal (Čebular Zajec, 2020; Giacomelli, 2020; Dermelj, 2020; Marinič and Meglič, 2020). A good practice example of awareness raising is the Ecolex Life project, which focuses on the environmental liability in Slovenia (see below). A more sustainable lifestyle, energy efficiency, and also increasingly more circular products and services continue to be actively promoted also by local and national authorities, non-governmental organisations, mass media and companies to raise public awareness on eco-food, waste management and transport emissions, and enable transition to climate neutral and circular economy. This trend could be further strengthened by the outbreak of the Coronavirus in 2020, which completely halted the majority of economic activities in the country and revealed certain threats related to e.g. undersupply of local food and medical equipment, as well as pointed out significant opportunities of digitalisation in developing a more circular economy.
Good practice: EcoLexLife: Raising awareness on Environmental Liability Directive
The ECOLEX Life project is based on the Directive of the European Parliament and the Council
of the European Union on environmental liability with regard to the prevention and remedying
of environmental damage from 2004 (Directive 2004/35/EC, also ELD). The project aims to
raise awareness on the ELD in Slovenia and build administrative capacity and boost support
for environmental liability implementation instruments to decrease environmental pollution.
In 2018 EcoLexLife was amongst the finalists for the Environmental Award in the category
Environmentally friendly product, process or service. The competition is organized by
newspaper Finance and Slovenian Environmental Public Fund (Eco Fund).
Keywords: ECOLEX Life, Environmental Liability Directive, education and raising awareness,
prevention and remedy of environmental damage
Sources:
• EcoLexLife – About the project, available at: https://ecolexlife.si/about-the-project/
• EcoLexLife – presentation, available at: https://ecolexlife.si/wp-
content/uploads/2018/10/EcoLexLife-ANG-short-ppt.pdf
• EcoLexLife portal, available at: http://ecolex.si/
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3 | Barriers and drivers to circular economy and eco-innovation in Slovenia
Slovenia is a small and open economy, largely dependent on the international economic
environment. The main drivers to circular economy and eco-innovation have not changed
fundamentally since the last report, and they include especially the following:
- The European common market, which enables for development of eco-innovations in
Slovenia that otherwise would not be realised due to a small national market, which often
lacks sufficient eco-related demand.
- business environment and “competitive pressure, which forces companies to become
more environmentally friendly, more eco-efficient in their use of resources (e.g. material,
energy, water, etc.), and to provide/offer to consumers more environmentally friendly
solutions” (Hojnik, 2016, 295).3
- Good national economic conditions in previous years contributed to eco-innovation and
circular economy development in Slovenia.4
- Cities and municipalities are becoming important hubs and active drivers in the
promotion of eco-innovation and circular economy in Slovenia. A good practice examples
represent the two biggest cities, i.e. Ljubljana and Maribor.5 In the last two years many
other smaller municipalities have increasingly supported circular economy projects and
have become successfully involved in the implementation of activities and promotion of
reuse, where their cooperation with the network of reuse centres and various non-
governmental organisations stands out (Strojin Božič, 2020).
- Digitalisation has been recognized as another driver, also with the help of “influencers”,
which promotes eco-friendly and circular innovations, as well as “do it yourself” solutions.
- Development of political and legal framework at the EU and national level, as well as
European research projects (H2020, Interreg, etc.) and national measures that develop
and promote circular economy solutions (Giacomelli, 2020; Pevc and Potokar, 2020). A
strong driver should be the introduction of extended responsibility of producers (Strojin
Božič, 2020).
3 The entrepreneurial sector continues to have the main role in research and development (R&D). Gross domestic expenditure on R&D (GERD) in 2018 amounted to EUR 892.7 million and the corresponding share in GDP amounted to 2%. Slovenia remains far from the Barcelona objective of 3% for R&D by 2020. In 2018, the business enterprise sector accounted for 74.2% of GERD or 1.4% of GDP and most its expenditure were paid out by manufacturing activities (73.8%) (SORS, 2020c). In 2018 government budget allocations for R&D (GBARD) amounted to EUR 191.7 million and reached 0.42% of GDP (SORS, 2019). Similarly to the previous country reports, funds from abroad, especially the EU funds, remain to play an important role in circular economy and eco-innovation development in Slovenia.
4 In the last two years the Slovenian GDP growth continued (4.1% in 2018 and 2.4% in 2019) (SORS, 2020a), as well as Slovenia’s trade in goods – in 2019 Slovenia’s exports grew by 8.5% and imports by 10.9% over the 2018. As regards exports, the most important groups in 2019 were road vehicles, medicinal and pharmaceutical products, and electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances (SORS, 2020b), which are also the main drivers of eco-innovation and circular economy development in Slovenia. In 2020, however, a significant recession is anticipated due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
5 The capital Ljubljana has won the European Green Capital Award 2016 (2015 report). In 2016, Ljubljana, on the invitation of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, joined the Circular Cities Network (City of Ljubljana, 2016). The municipality is also strongly striving to change the way of thinking and has created e.g. new jobs related with the circular change, inter alia, a manager for a smart city and manager for a transition to circular economy (Strojin Božič, 2020). In 2018 Maribor, the second largest city in Slovenia, as a first municipality adopted a strategy for the transition to a circular economy (Strategija prehoda mesta Maribor v krožno gospodarstvo, 2018) (see good practice example of the project Wcycle in 2018 report).
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Still, many challenges remain. According to the Eurobarometer survey (2016b) on European
SMEs and the Circular Economy, only 43% of the Slovenian companies that have undertaken
activities related to the circular economy did not encounter any problems. Slovenia was above
the EU average (38%), however (ranking 13th), it was significantly lagging behind the most
successful EU Member States.
Slovenian companies that have undertaken activities related to the circular economy and encountered issues most often point out complex administrative or legal procedures (more than every third company), difficulties in assessing finance (every fourth company), issues related to the cost of meeting regulations or standards (every fifth company), lack of expertise to implement these activities (almost every fifth company), and lack of human resources (every seventh company).
Eurobarometer findings have been to a large extent echoed in the recent analyses of Slovenian researchers. Bešter (in Širec et al., 2017, p. 108) outlined three groups of barriers to circular economy for individual stakeholders in Slovenia:
- At the enterprise level he pointed out the traditional implementation of linear business models, unwillingness of companies to risk the transition to circular models, financial barriers, lack of knowledge and experience, as well as above-mentioned barriers.
- At the national level, he pointed out inappropriate fiscal policy and the lack of interest, as well as unwillingness of consumers to pay more for products coming from circular activities.
- In general, a lack of information and knowledge about circular economy was (still) strongly present among all stakeholder groups.
Širec et al. (2017) analysed Slovenian entrepreneurship and circular economy and found out that the main barriers to introducing more circular activities at the level of SMEs were the lack of time, human resources, knowledge, access to information and financing. They conclude (Širec et al., 2017, p. 109), that raising awareness of the benefits and circular solutions could (should) be one of the key tasks for policy makers.6
Most of the abovementioned barriers have already been pointed out by many stakeholders in the past (see 2017 report). Furthermore, they have been again highlighted as important barriers during the preparation of this report.
The development of national legislation does not follow the developments at the EU level and certain procedures even discourage the introduction of circular solutions (Kranjc, 2020; Stare, 2020). An example is inconsistent or complicated waste legislation, especially on ‘end-of-waste’ issue, and on issues pertaining to use of secondary raw materials. Other barriers remain the cost of using secondary/recycled materials compared to the cost of primary materials, as well as doubts regarding their quality, and not sufficiently developed market of secondary materials (Giacomelli, 2020; Marinič and Meglič, 2020; Dermelj, 2020; Čebular Zajec, 2020).
An important step forward should be a green budget reform, which would enhance the transition to circular economy. In 2017 the Government set the green budget reform as its strategic priority and created an interministerial working group for this purpose. Its outcome i.e. the analysis of incentives and their environmental impact, which should be a basis for further activities (Zelena proračunska reforma, 2018), was published in 2018 by the Ministry of Finance. However, no further activities were undertaken.
An important barrier remains access to financing sources. Banks and insurance companies are often hesitant to finance green, environmental and circular projects due to their risk
6 An updated analysis of Slovenian entrepreneurship and circular economy by Širec et al. is forthcoming in summer 2020.
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assessment (Giacomelli, 2020; Pevc and Potokar, 2020). SID Bank issued first green bonds in December 2018 (SID Bank, 2018), however, its impact remains to be seen. In parallel, long and often inefficient administrative procedures, as well as sporadic financial incentives only partially encourage a systematic and comprehensive transition to the circular economy. Furthermore, one of the key barriers for SMEs appears to be the lack of clearly defined criteria on introducing circular economy solutions, i.e. what and how should SMEs introduce into their business, in order to be eligible for incentives (Černel, 2020).
Another important barrier remains lack of knowledge and its transfer from higher education to private sector (Čebular Zajec, 2020). The education sector remains rigid on all levels at introducing eco-innovation and circular economy trends and developments in their curricula (Strojin Božič, 2020; Giacomelli, 2020). This translates in a lack of human resources also at the level of policy creation and implementation (Dermelj, 2020). Despite the general consensus on the green agenda and circular economy in Slovenian society, the public sector and business enterprise sector have not yet fully internalized its potential, as well as the necessity for a collective action (Kranjc, 2020). Stakeholders evaluated strategic research and innovation partnerships (SRIPs), especially the one on circular economy, as an important contribution to integrating business and education sectors and transferring knowledge (Pevc and Potokar, 2020; Giacomelli, 2020), however, sectorial (or silos) approaches in general remain prevalent (Strojin Božič, 2020; Dermelj, 2020). There is lack of state support (Marinič and Meglič, 2020).
The Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning remains understaffed and inefficient at waste management, protecting natural and social urban areas, as well as targeted spatial management. Despite bold announcements by past governments, there is a lack of political leadership and coordination at the government level to effectively pursue circular and green economy strategy (Giacomelli, 2020). In fact, the lack of adequate human resources on all levels has also been explicitly identified as the key challenge and barrier for successful implementation of energy and climate policies and objectives by 2030 (NECP, 2020, p. 217).
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4 | Policy landscape in Slovenia
4.1 Strategic policy framework
Slovenia does not have any specific eco-innovation strategy, nevertheless, some other national strategies and action plans address, directly or indirectly, the issues of eco-innovation, circular economy, resource efficiency, zero waste, etc.
In 2011 the National Assembly adopted the Resolution on Research and Innovation Strategy of Slovenia 2011-2020. Its objective was “to establish a modern research and innovation system that will allow for a higher quality of life for all through critical reflection of society, efficiency in addressing social challenges, increased value added per employee, and assurance of more and higher quality workplaces” by 2020 (Resolution on Research and Innovation Strategy of Slovenia 2011-2020, 2011, p. 4). The strategy, however, does not explicitly point out eco-innovations.
Slovenian Industry Policy was adopted in 2013 to set priorities for the development of industry and the economy in the financial perspective 2014-2020. It recognised that “even in some areas where Slovenian companies are only suppliers of raw materials or semi-finished products to foreign companies, measures can provide incentives for entrepreneurs to invest in eco-innovation and environmentally friendly end products, where added value is higher” (Slovenian Industry Policy, 2013, p. 37). Such measures are essential for Slovenia because of its problems pertaining to low material and energy productivity (the ratio between GDP and use of resources) and to the high energy intensity of the economy (road transport also contributes considerably to the negative picture). A new industry strategy is in preparation (Čebular Zajec, 2020).
In 2014 the Operational Programme for the Implementation of the EU Cohesion Policy for 2014–2020 was adopted, that inter alia aimed to strengthen efforts particularly in the area of R&D, boost the innovation potentials of SMEs, promote resource efficiency and reduce environmental pressures (Operativni program za izvajanje evropske kohezijske politike v obdobju 2014–2020).
In September 2015 the Smart Specialisation Strategy of the Republic of Slovenia (S4, 2015) was adopted. In identifying S4 priority areas of application great emphasis was given to strong empirical bases which resulted in 3 priority pillars and 9 areas of application, i.e. (S4, 2015):
• DIGITAL / Healthy working and living environment (areas of application: Smart cities and communities; Smart buildings and homes, including wood chain);
• CIRCULAR / Natural and traditional resources for the future (areas of application: Networks for the transition to circular economy; Sustainable food production; Sustainable tourism);
• “(S)INDUSTRY 4.0” (areas of application: Factories of the future; Health – medicine; Mobility; Development of materials as end-products).
The second abovementioned priority pillar of S4 (CIRCULAR) pertains to those areas of application which depend on the use of natural and traditional resources (e.g. cultural heritage, crafts, etc.) and which involve various stakeholders, usually without an obvious dominant actor. The first objective of this priority area was to connect stakeholders – business entities, educational and research system, non-governmental organisations, the state and individuals – into value chains according to the principle “economy of closed material cycles” to develop new business models for the transition to a circular economy (S4, 2015, 17).
Long-term collaboration in all relevant areas of S4 application has been promoted through Strategic Research & Innovation Partnerships (SRIPs). Each of the nine areas of application
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witnessed an establishment of one partnership by the end of 2016. The cooperation between stakeholders in SRIPs (companies and knowledge institutions) is built on coordination of R&D activities, sharing of capacities, development of human resources, exchange of knowledge and experience, networking and collective representation of interest abroad.
Smart specialisation served as a basis to draw EU funds in the 2014-2020 budget period. The government implemented several tenders, that not only related to the S4, but also developed SRIP action plans ensuring a consistent, yet dynamic support to entities and encouraging them to interconnect, collaborate and to further concentrate their activity. The action plan, i.e. business-development strategy, of the SRIP “Networks for the transition into the circular economy”, which is coordinated by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Štajerska, was adopted in June 2017. It identified six focal areas: sustainable energy, biomass and alternative raw materials, secondary raw materials, functional materials, processes and technology, and circular business models (SRIP Krožno gospodarstvo, 2017; SRIP Circular Economy Action Plan summary in English, 2017) (for more on S4 see also the 2018 report).
Slovenia supported the integrated approach from the Commission to “close the loop” of product lifecycles and stimulate the transition towards a circular economy, and adopted a similar approach in October 2015, when the “Partnership for Slovenia’s Green Economy” was established. It set green economy as Slovenia's strategic guideline. The adopted Framework Programme for the Transition to a Green Economy with the Action plan for 2015-2016 aimed to design and implement measures to create conditions for a more green and sustainable growth and development and to steer the process of transition towards a green economy. In December 2016 Slovenia joined the Ellen MacArthur CE 100 programme. Under the patronage of the Slovenian Prime Minister more than 2000 stakeholders connected within the Partnership for Slovenia’s Green Economy, which should also draft a Roadmap for Slovenia's Transition to a Circular Economy.
In June 2016 Slovenia adopted its national waste management plan and waste prevention programme, in line with the objectives of EU Waste Framework Directive (Directive 2008/98/EC) and the circular economy (Program ravnanja z odpadki in Program preprečevanja odpadkov Republike Slovenije, 2016). The national waste management plan introduces two sets of goals:
• general goals, i.e. prevention of waste and prevention of illegal waste management;
• specific goals and measures regarding municipal waste, industrial waste and waste from other activities, construction waste, excavation and mining waste.
In February 2017 the “A Vision for Slovenia in 2050” was adopted. It stresses “learning for and through life”, “innovative society”, “trust”, “quality of life” (mentioning circular economy) and “identity” (Vision of Slovenia, 2017). It has been translated into a new national development strategy with measurable 2030 goals (Wilkinson and Šooš, 2018).7
In December 2017 the Slovenian Development Strategy 2030 was adopted. It represents the framework development strategy, incorporates the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and aims to ensure a high quality of life for all through balanced economic, social and environmental development. It has five strategic orientations (1. inclusive, healthy, safe and responsible society; 2. learning for and through life; 3. highly productive economy that generates value added for all; 4. well-preserved natural environment; 5. high level of cooperation, competence and governance efficiency) and twelve interconnected
7 The Vision of Slovenia 2050 has, however, been severely criticized for being too general and idealistic, without providing solutions to many already existing social problems. Another source of criticism was its cost of preparation (Čeh, 2017; Kos, 2017; Lončar, 2019). In May 2020, after two changes of government since the adoption of the vision, it cannot be found anymore on the government webpages.
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development goals. Each goal contains rationale of the goal's relevance, key guidelines that require further activities, two to three core performance indicators, that represent desired outcomes, and a link to the SDGs (Slovenian Development Strategy 2030 Overview, 2017, 2) (for more see also the figure in 2018 report).
The 8th goal of the strategy (“Low-carbon circular economy”) sets the transition to a low-carbon circular economy as “a priority development orientation for the entire economy” (Slovenian Development Strategy 2030, 2017, 38). This goal should be achieved by: a) breaking the link between economic growth and growth in consumption of resources and
GHG emissions; b) promoting innovation; c) replacing fossil fuels through the promotion of energy efficiency and the use of
renewables in all areas of energy use; d) ensuring that infrastructure and energy use in transport support the transition to a low-
carbon circular economy and allow sustainable mobility, and e) using spatial planning to design nodes for the low-carbon circular economy and
development solutions at the regional and local levels.
The implementation of this goal will be monitored with the help of three performance indicators: material productivity, share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption, and GDP per total greenhouse gas emissions (Slovenian Development Strategy 2030, 2017, 39).
The implementation of the strategy should be based on medium-term planning. Moreover, a four-year national development policy programme (NDPP) and a medium-term fiscal strategy should be adopted and extended annually (Slovenian Development Strategy 2030, 2017, 50). The first NDPP should have been drawn up (immediately) after the adoption of the Strategy, however, by May 2020 it has still not been prepared. Institute of Macroeconomic Analysis and Development (IMAD) started to monitor the achieving of the strategy’s goals and the orientations of development policy by using the OECD’s framework for assessing the impacts of the individual scenarios or agreed measures. Its 2019 Development Report points out, that Slovenia has been relatively successful in solving short-term problems related mainly to the consequences of the financial and economic crisis, but in the future more permanent measures for improving the long-term sustainability of development and quality of life will be required. The transition to a low-carbon circular economy should be accomplished by a shift towards more sustainable production and consumption patterns, especially (i) by a more efficient exploitation of natural resources, (ii) with a sustainable mobility, and (iii) by education and raising awareness of the population of the urgency of changes towards sustainable development (IMAD, 2019, p. 8).
The Roadmap for Slovenia's Transition to a Circular Economy was adopted in May 2018 (Roadmap Towards the Circular Economy in Slovenia, 2018). It is based on the so-called “Circular Triangle”, which unites Circular Economy (business models), Circular Change (government policies) and Circular Culture (citizens). Its goals are (2018, p. 5 and 7): a. to outline the potentials that establish Slovenia as the leader of the transition to the
circular economy in Central and Eastern Europe; b. to involve stakeholders to identify and connect circular practices; c. to create recommendations for the Government to facilitate a more efficient transition; d. to identify circular opportunities for the strengthening of international economic
competitiveness and quality of life for all.
The Roadmap identified four priority areas for Slovenia, that indirectly include six focal areas recognized in the SRIP – Circular Economy Action Plan, i.e. food system, forest-based value chains, manufacturing, and mobility. Within each priority area it pointed out potentials and
20
promising prospects (Roadmap Towards the Circular Economy in Slovenia, 2018, 30-41). The Roadmap recommended the Government to appoint an expert council that would link government representatives and other stakeholders and develop an action plan for the circular transition in Slovenia (Roadmap Towards the Circular Economy in Slovenia, 2018, 43). Moreover, it also listed 27 recommendations regarding the Circular Triangle (business models; government policies; citizens). The Government has, however, in February 2019 adopted the decision to dissolve the interministerial working group »Partnership for Green Economy«, stating that the group has successfully undertaken communication activities and by leading the preparation of the roadmap concluded its work (Government of Slovenia, 2019).
Digitalization has been recognized as a key enabler as it allows for the collection of large amounts of data, which is then analysed and transformed into useful information that supports circular solutions. It is being introduced into fields such as comprehensive energy solutions, “smart” management of facilities, cities and rural areas, the internet of things, new forms of mobility, 3-D printing, agricultural digitalization and new models on numerous other fields. As one of the challenges for the introduction of circular economic models the potential offered by blockchain technologies was pointed out (Roadmap Towards the Circular Economy in Slovenia, 2018, 15).
In November 2018 the Government (2018) supported further strategic collaboration between the Joint Research Centre (JRC), European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT Climate-KIC, EIT RawMaterials) to adopt an EIT Climate-KIC-led proposal called 'A Deep Demonstration of a Circular, Regenerative and Low-Carbon Economy in Slovenia'. The initiative should lead to the development of a full proposal to encompass the evolution of all economic sectors and relevant value chains into transition activities towards sustainable, innovation-driven circular economy while taking an inherently cross-sectorial, systemic perspective (EIT, 2020; Smart Specialisation Platform, 2020). Between 2019 and 2022, a partnership with Slovenian authorities and stakeholders should be established to roll out a deep demonstration of rapid change to a circular, regenerative, and low-carbon economy and society, building on key processes, policies and activities already underway. “Its overall goal is to position Slovenia as a European leader in harnessing circularity to transform and decarbonise its economy while fostering a green economy and designing and promoting the smart and circular transition of local communities through a coordinated and coherent national approach based on international best practice” (EIT Climate-KIC, 2020) (see good practice example below).
Policy good practice: Decarbonising Slovenia: A Deep Demonstration of a Circular,
Regenerative and Low-Carbon Economy
The pilot initiative comprises the Slovenian governmental institutions, EIT Climate-KIC, EIT
RawMaterials and the JRC. It envisages the development of the full proposal to encompass
the evolution of all economic sectors and relevant value chains into transition activities
towards sustainable, innovation-driven circular economy while taking an inherently cross-
sectorial, systemic perspective. The programme of work is focused on three pillars and aims
at applying a system-based approach to enable a process for decarbonizing Slovenia’s socio-
economic system through circular economy principles (Smart and circular communities;
Circular green development; Circular policy design & science).
Activities will be structured across a set of intrinsically linked programmes, targeting the three
major stakeholder groups of local communities, business, and policy-makers. All programmes
will be anchored via the Slovenian Center for Smart and Circular Transition. Sectoral focused
transition will take place across five key value chains for Slovenia (built environment, food,
forestry, manufacturing, mobility). The main beneficiaries of this work will be Slovenian local
21
communities, companies, and stakeholders from across different sectors and value chains,
whereas Slovenia will be able to showcase an increase in visibility as a circular economy leader.
Keywords: Slovenia, decarbonisation, circular economy, systemic change
Sources:
- Slovenia adopts EIT Climate-KIC Circular, Regenerative Economies Deep Demonstration:
https://www.climate-kic.org/news/slovenia-adopts-circular-regenerative-economies-
deep-demonstration/
- Slovenia adopts EIT Climate-KIC circular economy proposal: https://eit.europa.eu/news-
events/news/slovenia-circular
In February 2020 the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP, 2020) was adopted. Key energy and climate objectives and contributions by 2030 that have been adopted are:
• reduction of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 36%,
• reduction of GHG emissions in the non-ETS sector by 20% (according to the EU Effort Sharing Regulation the Slovenian target is 15% reduction),
• increase in energy efficiency for at least 35% (EU target is 32.5%),
• at least 27% of renewable sources (EU target is 32%),
• investment in R&D in the amount of at least 3% of GDP (of which 1% of public funding).
The long-term climate strategy, in accordance with the Paris Agreement and the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999, with a perspective of at least 30 years and taking into account the adopted NECP, should be adopted by 1 January 2020. The Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, responsible for its preparation, has announced that it will be adopted during 2020. In parallel, a law on climate policy of Slovenia should be adopted, that would enshrine the objective of climate neutrality by 2050 in Slovenian national legislation (its draft was in public consultation in September 2019) (Predlog Zakona o podnebni politiki, 2019).
Slovenia has been very active also beyond its borders. Besides the above-mentioned initiative the Slovenian Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia (project coordinator) have been engaged also in MOVECO project (Mobilising Institutional Learning for Better Exploitation of Research and Innovation for the Circular Economy) (2016-2019). The project brought together sixteen partners from ten Danube countries in transnational cooperation to accelerate the transition to the circular economy (MOVECO, n.d.). A circular economy platform was set up and the Slovenian ministry led the preparation of the Transnational Strategy to Accelerate Transition Towards a Circular Economy in the Danube Region (The Danube Goes Circular, 2019). Furthermore, three cross-country Road Maps were prepared for i) Austria, Germany, Slovenia, ii) Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, and iii) Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia. Slovenia has been, along Austria and Germany, recognised as an innovation leader. Their cross-country road map also identified common measures for implementing the transnational strategy (MOVECO, 2019).
https://www.climate-kic.org/news/slovenia-adopts-circular-regenerative-economies-deep-demonstration/
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Policy good practice: The Danube goes circular
Under the leadership of the Slovenian Ministry of the
Environment and Spatial Planning, the partners of the
MOVECO Interreg project have prepared a
Transnational Strategy for the Transition to the
Circular Economy of the Danube Region. The
consortium was made up of partners from the
following Danube countries: Austria, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Moldova, Germany, Romania, Slovenia,
Slovakia, and Serbia.
The strategy “The Danube goes circular” introduced a
framework methodology for measuring circular
performance of the Danube region, identifies key
challenges (competitiveness and innovation; production and consumption; waste
management; and secondary raw materials), a vision, and strategic objectives and
recommendations for more sustainable growth in the region, job creation, and reduction of
social and economic disparities between countries. It focuses on three waste streams, namely
electrical and electronic equipment, batteries and accumulators, and packaging. Based on the
strategy, partners have developed three Cross-Country Road Maps with more specific
recommendations and actions.
Keywords: Slovenia, Danube, MOVECO, circular economy
Sources:
- About the MOVECO project, available at: https://danube-goes-circular.eu/?q=About
- THE DANUBE GOES CIRCULAR Transnational Strategy to Accelerate Transition Towards a
Circular Economy in the Danube Region, available at: http://www.interreg-
danube.eu/uploads/media/approved_project_output/0001/31/0109cd7e2c2cde730df6
7afe1af655a5a29582ed.pdf
- THE DANUBE GOES CIRCULAR Cross-Country Road Map to Accelerate Transition Towards
a Circular Economy in the Danube Region – Austria, Germany, Slovenia, available at:
https://danube-goes-circular.eu/sites/default/files/uploaded%20files/IG1-Action-
Plan.pdf
As already mentioned, cities and municipalities are becoming an increasingly important and active driver in the promotion of eco-innovation and circular economy in Slovenia. The second largest city Maribor as a first municipality in Slovenia adopted a strategy to transition to circular economy in 2018 (Strategija prehoda mesta Maribor v krožno gospodarstvo, 2018). The Association of Municipalities and Towns of Slovenia successfully engaged in the international CircE Project Consortium (2019-2021), i.e. European Regions toward Circular Economy, by preparing the Action Plan focusing on the sector of circular tourism (Association of Municipalities and Towns of Slovenia, 2020). In February 2020 the Association of Municipalities and Towns of Slovenia also signed the Manifesto for Circular Economy (2020) that has been prepared within the project Interreg Alpine space Greencycle and invited Slovenian municipalities to follow (SOS, 2020).
4.2 Policy instruments, measures, programmes
Despite not having a specific eco-innovation strategy or action plan, Slovenia has manifold policy instruments and measures, which include also their promotion. Similarly, Slovenia has
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introduced many measures that should encourage the transition to green and circular economy (see Table A2). On one hand, the multitude and variety of policy instruments should enable stakeholders to find an adequate measure for their specific situation, on the other hand, the lack of clear and targeted policy framework results in sub-optimal results and in implementation deficit.
Slovenia offers various measures of direct financial support that also cover eco-innovation and support the transition to circular economy (see Table A2 for more details). Grant funding is available for companies via participation in Eurostars and Eureka public grants. Important role is played by the Slovenian Research Agency (SRA), which provides the scientific community with instruments enabling stable funding of scientific excellence. The agency, inter alia, selects and finances research and infrastructure programmes that provide a public service in the research field. Loans and credits for legal entities and individuals for environmental projects are available via Slovenian Environmental Public Fund (Eco Fund). Slovenian Regional Development fund grants loans with a favourable interest rate and a long maturity in support of regional development policy. Slovene Enterprise Fund (SEF) offers a variety of publicly co-funded venture capital funds with the purpose of improving the access to financial resources for micro and SMEs, including financial resources for SMEs start-up and micro financing in Slovenia. Public Scholarship, Development, Disability and Maintenance Fund of the Republic of Slovenia as the central national management institution for scholarships and development of human resources, offers scholarships for study and research, increases international mobility of students and researchers, etc. While the Slovenian Research Agency finances postgraduate study and research training for young researchers, which runs with great success since 1985. In 2017 and 2018 the SID Bank issued first green bonds fully in compliance with the Green Bond Principles of the International Capital Market Association. An increasingly important role should in future be played also by the Climate Fund, which aims to support measures for mitigating and adapting to climate change.
Slovenia also offers wide indirect support for eco-innovation and transition to circular economy in the form of tax reliefs (for companies investing in R&D, for consumers buying motor vehicles with electric drive motor). Environmental tax is already paid for air pollution due to emissions of CO2 coming from fuel combustion. In January 2020 it was also proposed to tax motor vehicles based on their environmental impact. Green public procurement is obligatory for certain products in public procurement procedures, while Slovenian Environmental Public Fund (Eco Fund) offers a wide variety of demand subsidies (grants) to individuals, legal entities and municipalities for environmental projects. Labelling and certification is being used in Slovenia for a variety of products and services (e.g. Ecolabel flower, ecological agricultural products, the “Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism” (Zelena shema slovenskega turizma)). To a certain extent also the EMAS scheme has developed (in May 2020 there were 10 EMAS registered organisations).
There are also strong measures on training, advisory, information support, and awareness raising on technology transfer and business advisory services. An important role is played by Strategic Research and innovation Partnerships (SRIPs), especially the SRIP Networks for the Transition to Circular Economy, as well as the stakeholder engagement platform Circular Change, which is focusing on the best practices of pioneers transitioning to circular business models, and Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, which provides market intelligence to companies and organises manifold seminars, workshops and conferences. Slovenia also joined Ellen MacArthur Foundation in October 2016 and successfully disseminates knowledge on the transition to Circular Economy. Slovenian Entrepreneurship Observatory prepares comparative analyses and reports for economic policy-makers and actors promoting entrepreneurship in Slovenia, see e.g. “Slovene Companies and Circular Economy” published in February 2018.
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Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia awards the best innovations at national level (Slovenian Innovation Awards), whereas the Slovenian newspaper Finance annually awards most environmentally-friendly company; most environmentally-friendly product, process or service; international environmental partnership (i.e. Environmental Awards). In spring 2019, the EU Interreg project MOVECO awarded products and services from the circular economy with the MOVECO Innovation Award (MOVECO - Innovation Award 2019).
Furthermore, manifold trainings for companies and consumers are available, e.g. on how to start and develop a company and market products and services (Podjetniški portal), as well as consulting and training to all existing and new businesses via a comprehensive system of free support services for businesses (former one stop business points). In parallel, many public awareness campaigns, platforms, and outreach activities take place, e.g. by the SRIP Networks for the Transition to Circular Economy, national ministries, Slovenian Environment Agency, and other stakeholders.
An important role in bringing together various stakeholders and facilitating training, advisory, information support, and awareness raising is played also by various clusters, networks and platforms. Strategic Research and innovation Partnerships (SRIPs) are recognising the need for cooperation and integration on each of the nine areas of application of the Slovenian Smart Specialisation Strategy (S4). SRIP Networks for the Transition to Circular Economy is devoted to the area of circular economy. 10 competence centres for human resource development for 2019-2022 were supported to enable the implementation of trainings amongst involved companies to improve their competences, productivity, creativity and innovation capability of employees, and to strengthen the competitiveness of the Slovenian economy in accordance with the S4. A competence centre “Networks for transition to circular economy” was setup (KOC krožno gospodarstvo).
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ANNEX: Policy strategies and instruments
Table A1: National Policy strategies Name of the policy document (strategy, action plan, roadmap)
Relevance for eco-innovation
Relevance for Circular Economy
Relevance for the innovation chain
Input and process targets Outcome and impact targets Relevant implementation or governance system
1 Resolution on Research and Innovation Strategy of Slovenia 2011-2020 (2011) Adopted by the National Assembly Responsible institution: Ministry of Education, Science and Sport http://pisrs.si/Pis.web/pregledPredpisa?id=RESO68 (English)
Eco-innovation not in focus
Cross-cutting R&D Cumulative investment in R&D in the amount of 3% by 2020
R&D target (non-binding) Ministry of Education, Science and Sport is responsible for the its implementation.
2 Smart Specialisation Strategy of the Republic of Slovenia (S4) (2015) Adopted by the Government of Slovenia Responsible institution: Ministry of Economic Development and Technology https://www.gov.si/assets/vladne-sluzbe/SVRK/S4-Slovenska-strategija-pametne-specializacije/Slovenska-strategija-pametne-specializacije.pdf
Eco-innovation not in focus
Cross-cutting Cross-cutting A precondition for using EU structural funds in the field of research, development and innovation. The government provides financial support to the identified priority areas. 3 priority pillars and 9 areas of application, being promoted through Strategic Research & Innovation Partnerships (SRIPs).
A key target of S4 is to increase value added per employee, which will be measured at the level of individual areas. At the aggregate level, the performance of the S4 will be measured (until 2023) in: 1. increased share of high-tech
intensive products in exports (from 22.3% to the EU-15 average of 26.5%);
2. increased share of services with a high share of knowledge in exports (from 21.4% to 33%, halving the gap to the EU average);
3. a rise in overall entrepreneurial activity (from 11% to at least the level of the EU average, i.e. 12.8%).
A government working group has been established in March 2019 (DSS4).
3 Framework Programme for the Transition to a Green Economy with the Action plan for 2015-2016 (2015) Adopted by the Government of Slovenia Responsible institution: Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning http://vlada.arhiv-
spletisc.gov.si/fileadmin/dokumenti
Eco-innovation not in focus
Green economy was set as Slovenia's strategic guideline.
Cross-cutting Partnership for Slovenia’s Green Economy was established. The adopted framework programme aimed to design and implement measures to create conditions for a more green and sustainable growth and development and to steer the process of transition to a green
economy.
A Roadmap for Slovenia's Transition to a Circular Economy should be drafted.
An inter-ministerial working group was established (initially led by the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, from 2016 by the Office of the Prime Minister).
The group was dissolved in February
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Name of the policy document (strategy, action plan, roadmap)
Relevance for eco-innovation
Relevance for Circular Economy
Relevance for the innovation chain
Input and process targets Outcome and impact targets Relevant implementation or governance system
/si/projekti/2016/zeleno/opzg_akcijski_nacrt_in_nacrt_aktivnosti.pdf
2019, after the Roadmap was prepared.
4 VISION of SLOVENIA 2050 Eco-innovation not in focus
Cross-cutting No Guidance for Slovenian Development Strategy 2030
No
5 Slovenian Development Strategy 2030 (2017) Adopted by the Government of Slovenia Responsible institution: Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy https://www.gov.si/assets/vladne-sluzbe/SVRK/Strategija-razvoja-Slovenije-2030/Slovenian-Development-Strategy-2030.pdf
Eco-innovation not in focus
The 8th goal of the strategy (“Low-carbon circular economy”) sets the transition to a low-carbon circular economy as “a priority development orientation for the entire economy”
Cross-cutting Low-carbon circular economy should be achieved by: a) breaking the link between economic growth and growth in consumption of resources and GHG emissions; b) promoting innovation; c) replacing fossil fuels through the promotion of energy efficiency and the use of renewables in all areas of energy use; d) ensuring that infrastructure and energy use in transport support the transition to a low-carbon circular economy and allow sustainable mobility, and e) using spatial planning to design nodes for the low-carbon circular economy and development solutions at the regional and local levels.
The implementation of “Low-carbon circular economy” goal will be monitored with the help of three performance indicators: i) material productivity (from 1.79 in 2015 to 2.19 PPP/kg in 2030): ii) share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption (from 22% in 2015 to 27% in 2030), iii) GDP per total greenhouse gas emissions (from 2.9 in 2015 to 3.3 in 2030 PPP/kg CO2 eq.).
A four-year national development policy programme (NDPP) and a medium-term fiscal strategy should be drawn up (neither was prepared). Institute of Macroeconomic Analysis and Development is monitoring its implementation in its annual Development Report.
6 Roadmap Towards the Circular Economy in Slovenia (2018) Prepared by the Partnership for Slovenia’s Green Economy http://mop.arhiv-spletisc.gov.si/fileadmin/mop.gov.si/pageuploads/medijsko_sredisce/2018/05_Maj/04_SJ_Kazipot/18_05_04_SJ_Kazipot_EN.pdf
Eco-innovation not in focus
Cross-cutting Cross-cutting The Roadmap should open up a space for debate and for a more detailed definitions of priority areas and activities. Goals: a. to outline the potentials; b. to involve stakeholders to
identify and connect circular practices;
c. to create recommendations
for the Slovenian government
The Roadmap identified four priority areas for Slovenia, i.e. food system, forest-based value chains, manufacturing, mobility. The Roadmap recommended the government to appoint an expert council that would link government representatives and other stakeholders and develop an action plan for the circular transition in Slovenia.
No
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Name of the policy document (strategy, action plan, roadmap)
Relevance for eco-innovation
Relevance for Circular Economy
Relevance for the innovation chain
Input and process targets Outcome and impact targets Relevant implementation or governance system
to facilitate a more efficient transition;
d. to identify circular opportunities for the strengthening of international economic competitiveness and quality of life for all.
The Roadmap listed 27 recommendations regarding the Circular Triangle (business models; government policies; citizens)
7 Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (2020) Adopted by the Government of Slovenia Responsible institution: Ministry for Infrastructure https://www.energetika-portal.si/fileadmin/dokumenti/publikacije/nepn/dokumenti/nepn_5.0_final_feb-2020.pdf
Eco-innovation not in focus
Cross-cutting Cross-cutting The plan details policies and measures (see chapter 3), as well as needed investments (see chapter 5) to achieve adopted energy and climate targets to 2030 (in line with the EU Regulation on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action).
Key energy and climate objectives and contributions by 2030 that have been adopted are, inter alia: - reduction of total greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions by 36%, - reduction of GHG emissions in the
non-ETS sector by 20% (according to the EU Effort Sharing Regulation the Slovenian target is -15%),
- increase in energy efficiency for at least 35% (EU target is 32.5%),
- at least 27% of renewable sources (EU target is 32%),
- investment in research and development in the amount of at least 3% of GDP (of which 1% of public funding).
No
8 The Long-term Climate Strategy (expected 2020) To be adopted by the National Assembly Responsible institution: Ministry for Environment and Spatial Planning
Table A2: Policy instruments and measures Category Name of instrument Overall relevance
for eco-innovation Relevance for CE
Relevance for the innovation chain
Direct financial support for eco-innovation
Grant funding Slovenia takes part in Eurostars, i.e. the European funding and support programme that specifically supports the
niche market of research-performing SMEs in their innovative R&D projects. It stimulates international collaborative Eco-innovation is among other topics
Cross-cutting
Cross-cutting
33
Category Name of instrument Overall relevance for eco-innovation
Relevance for CE
Relevance for the innovation chain
research and innovation projects and it is co-funded from the Slovenian budget and by the EU through Horizon 2020. Ministry for Economic Development and Technology announced in January 2020 that two calls will be published in 2020 (implementation of Eurostars 2). EUREKA public grants aim to encourage projects that contribute to priorities of the Slovenian Smart Specialisation Strategy (last call in August 2019). The Slovenian Research Agency (SRA) as an independent public funding organisation performs tasks relating to the National Research and Development Programme and creation of European Research Area. The Agency aims to provide the scientific community with instruments enabling stable funding of scientific excellence. It, inter alia, selects and finances research and infrastructure programmes that provide a public service in the research field. Public tenders for “Incentives for Research Development Projects” (First public tender in 2016, second one in 2017 (RRI 2) (amended in March 2018 and August 2019) promote research and development activities in companies or consortia of companies within innovative research development projects for the development of new or improved products, processes or services in the priority areas of the Slovenian Smart Specialisation Strategy.
Eco-innovation is among other topics Eco-innovation is among other topics Eco-innovation is among other topics
Cross-cutting Cross-cutting Cross-cutting
Cross-cutting R&D Cross-cutting
Innovation vouchers
Loans and credits Slovenian Environmental Public Fund (Eco Fund) provides financial supports for environmental projects through soft loans from revolving funds and since the year 2008 through grants. Loans to legal entities (municipalities and/or providers of public utility services, enterprises and other legal entities) and sole traders for investments in environmental infrastructure, environmentally sound technologies and products, energy efficiency, energy saving investments, and use of renewable energy sources.
Loans to individuals (households) for conversion from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, energy saving investments, investments in water consumption reduction, connections to sewage system, small waste-water treatment plants, replacement of asbestos roofs. Slovene Regional Development fund acts as one of the key institutions of regional development policy. It operates as a public financial fund, designed for a more sustainable achievement of public goals in regional development and rural development. It provides incentives to entrepreneurs and companies, agricultural holdings, co-operatives and the food processing industry, projects in the areas of the autochthonous national communities, municipalities. As a primary form of incentive, the Fund grants loans with a favourable interest rate and a long maturity.
Eco-innovation is among other topics
Eco-innovation is among other topics
Cross-cutting
Cross-cutting
Cross-cutting
Cross-cutting
Publicly co-funded venture capital funds (e.g. start-ups)
Slovene Enterprise Fund (SEF) is the Public Fund of Republic of Slovenia for Entrepreneurship established with the purpose of improving the access to financial resources for micro and SMEs, including with financial resources for SMEs start-up and micro financing in Slovenia. SEF offers: i. START UP INCENTIVES (grants) for establishing an enterprise ii. SEED CAPITAL (convertible loans and capital investments) for the entry and expansion on the market iii. VENTURE CAPITAL (mezzanine capital) for rapid global growth iv. MICROCREDITS (direct SEFs credits) for specific target groups for current operation v. GUARANTEES for bank loans with interest rate subsidy for current operation and further growth
vi. SPECIAL INCENTIVES in the form of grants for company growth and development (current focus is on wood-processing and digital transformation of production)
Eco-innovation is among other topics
Cross-cutting
Commercialisation
34
Category Name of instrument Overall relevance for eco-innovation
Relevance for CE
Relevance for the innovation chain
Fellowships and postgraduate loans and scholarships
Public Scholarship, Development, Disability and Maintenance Fund of the Republic of Slovenia as the central national management institution for scholarships and development of human resources, offers scholarships for study and research, increases international mobility of students and researchers, provides financial incentives to employers for development of human resources, awards excellence, provides up-to-date information and helps build a network for minimising obstacles to mobility of students, researchers and employees. However, no special focus is given to circular economy and/or eco-innovations. The Slovenian Research Agency finances postgraduate study and research training for young researchers. The programme runs with great success since 1985. To date more than 5,000 young researchers have successfully completed the programme.
Eco-innovation is among other topics Eco-innovation is among other topics
Cross-cutting Cross-cutting
Cross-cutting Cross-cutting
Equity financing from public banks
First green bonds in Slovenia were issued in 2017 by the SID Bank in cooperation with the company GEN-I Sonce and Bank NKBM in the amount of €14 million with an aim to finance green projects (energy efficiency and solar energy). In 2018 the SID Bank issued green bonds (in the amount of €75 million) on the international capital market fully in compliance with the Green Bond Principles of the International Capital Market Association.
Eco-innovation is among other topics
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Other (Climate Fund) The Climate Fund aims to support measures for mitigating and adapting to climate change. The Climate Fund will support, inter alia, measures in the national economy, transport, renewables, R&D, etc.
Eco-innovation is among other topics
Cross-cutting Cross-cutting
Indirect support for eco-innovation
Tax incentives/relieves for eco-innovation (businesses, R&D activity)
Companies enjoy tax relief for their investments for R&D and the Law on Corporate Income Tax determines tax relief for investments in research and development (Article 55): “The person may claim the tax relief in the amount of 100% of the amount which represents the investment in research and development during this period, but not exceeding the amount of the tax base”, i.e. investing in “the internal R & D activities”, and “the purchase of R & D services”.
Eco-innovation is among other topics
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Tax relief for consumers adopting/ purchasing green technology/products
Motor vehicles, which are equipped with only an electric drive motor, are exempted from the payment of the annual duty for the use of the vehicle, registered in Slovenia, in road transport (Law on motor vehicles duties, Art. 8; Official Gazette of RS, no. 54/17)
Commercialisation
Taxation of environmentally harmful technologies
In 2018 a new Decree on environmental tax on carbon dioxide emissions (Official Gazette, no. 48/18) was adopted (in power from August 2018). Environmental tax is paid for air pollution due to emissions of CO2 coming from fuel combustion. Motor Vehicle Tax Act: in January 2020 an amendment was proposed to tax motor vehicles based on their environmental impact (Ministry of Finance, 2020).
Cross-cutting
Cross-cutting Commercialisation
Regulations, targets
Green public procurement Environmental and sustainability requirements are obligatory for certain products in public procurement procedures (Decree on green public procurement, Official Gazette of RS, no. 51/17 in 64/19).
Cross-cutting Cross-cutting
Demand subsidies (e.g. eco-vouchers/subsidies for green products)
Slovenian Environmental Public Fund (Eco Fund) manages the assets, earmarked by the Republic of Slovenia, for the preservation of public interest in the field of environmental protection. It provides financial supports for environmental projects. The financial assistance is offered mainly through soft loans from revolving funds and since the year 2008 through grants. Grants to individuals (households) for investments in electric cars and for investments in residential buildings (energy efficiency and use of renewable energy sources) Grants to legal entities (municipalities and/or providers of public utility services, enterprises and other legal entities) for investments in electric cars and buses for public transport on compressed natural gas or biogas
Eco-innovation is among other topics
Cross-cutting Cross-cutting
35
Category Name of instrument Overall relevance for eco-innovation
Relevance for CE
Relevance for the innovation chain
Grants to municipalities for investments in buildings where public education takes place (schools, kindergartens, libraries, etc.), newly constructed as low energy and passive buildings or renovated in passive standard
Labeling, certification, standards
Ecolabel flower is being used in Slovenia for a variety of products. EMAS scheme (ECO - Management and Audit Scheme) (10 EMAS registered organisations in May 2020) Agricultural products or goods sold in Slovenia must be labelled with a single label “ecological” if the product or good has been produced or processed in line with the Rules on organic production and processing of agricultural products and foodstuffs (Official Gazette of RS, no. 72/18 and 17/19), EU Regulation 834/2007/ES and EU Regulation 889/2008/ES. Besides the label “ecological” also abbreviations such as “bio” and “eco” can be used. The “Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism” (Zelena shema slovenskega turizma) has been actively promoted, i.e. a national programme and certification scheme encouraging destinations and accommodation providers to acquire the “Slovenian Green Accommodation” sign, which is based on the internationally adopted environmental signs (EU Eco Label, Emas, Ecocamping, etc.)
Eco-innovation is among other topics Eco-innovation is among other topics
Cross-cutting Cross-cutting Cross-cutting Cross-cutting
Cross-cutting Cross-cutting Cross-cutting Cross-cutting
Debt guarantees and risk sharing schemes
Slovene Enterprise Fund (SEF) offers guarantees for bank loans with interest rate subsidy with an aim to enable SMEs a faster, easier, but mainly cheaper obtaining of bank loans for the implementation of projects that provide a competitive market penetration and an improved market position. SEF offers Guarantees for YOUNG enterprises.
Eco-innovation is among other topics
Cross-cutting Cross-cutting
Training, advisory, information support, awareness raising
Technology transfer and business advisory services
Strategic Research and innovation Partnerships (SRIPs), especially the SRIP Networks for the Transition to Circular Economy Ellen MacArthur Foundation membership. Slovenia joined in October 2016. Association of Municipalities and Towns of Slovenia, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, and Public Agency for Entrepreneurship, Internationalization, Foreign Investments and Technology are responsible for the process of dissemination of knowledge on the transition to Circular Economy. In this process also the Circular Change platform takes part. Circular Change is a stakeholder engagement platform focusing on the best practices of pioneers transitioning to circular business models. Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia in general provides market intelligence to companies and organises manifold seminars, workshops and conferences. Slovenian Entrepreneurship Observatory, that was established in 1998, prepares comparative analyses and reports for economic policy-makers and actors promoting entrepreneurship in Slovenia, see e.g. “Slovene Companies and Circular Economy” published in February 2018 (in 2020 a new study on Slovene companies and circular economy is forthcoming).
Eco-innovation is among other topics Eco-innovation is among other topics Eco-innovation is among other topics Eco-innovation is among other topics Eco-innovation is among other topics
Cross-cutting Cross-cutting Cross-cutting Cross-cutting Cross-cutting
Cross-cutting Cross-cutting Cross-cutting Cross-cutting Cross-cutting
Business incubation/ accelerations
36
Category Name of instrument Overall relevance for eco-innovation
Relevance for CE
Relevance for the innovation chain
Eco-innovation challenges, prizes, awards
Slovenian Innovation Awards: Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia annual Awards for the best innovations at national level represent the highest national recognition of innovative achievements and thus promotes innovation in Slovenia and abroad. Environmental Awards: the Slovenian newspaper Finance and Slovenian Environmental Public Fund (Eco Fund) annually award most environmentally-friendly company; most environmentally-friendly product, process or service; international environmental partnership. MOVECO - Innovation Award 2019: In spring 2019, the EU Interreg project MOVECO awarded products and services from the circular economy with the MOVECO Innovation Award. The award gave creative, future-oriented enterprises and business models from the partner countries in Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Bulgaria, Serbia and Romania the opportunity to present their products and services to a broad public.
Eco-innovation is among other topics Eco-innovation is among other topics Eco-innovation is among other topics
Cross-cutting Cross-cutting Cross-cutting
R&D and design Cross-cutting Cross-cutting
Training for companies, consumers,
Podjetniški portal (the Entrepreneur’s Page) run by SPIRIT (Public Agency for Entrepreneurship, Internationalisation, Foreign Investments and Technology) offers information and advice, how to start and develop a company and market products and services. Slovene Business Point (Slovenska poslovna točka – SPOT) is a national system incorporating former One Stop Business Points (VEM and e-VEM). It represents a comprehensive system of free support services for businesses under a single brand. The SPOT offers information, e-services, entrepreneurial consulting and training to all existing and new businesses. It also covers the issues of internationalisation and foreign investments.
Eco-innovation is among other topics Eco-innovation is among other topics
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Public awareness campaigns, platforms, and outreach activities
Strategic Research and innovation Partnerships (SRIPs), especially the SRIP Networks for the Transition to Circular Economy. Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning promotes awareness raising, and provides information on circular economy and various environmental and sustainable issues. Slovenian Environment Agency provides information on air, water, environmental protection, nature, and climate change. Circular Change is a stakeholder engagement platform focusing on the best practices of pioneers transitioning to circular business models. ENSVET represents a program of free energy consultation for citizens. Eco-fund (in line with the Energy Law, EZ-1, Article 352) has set up the Network of ENSVET offices across Slovenia that offer energy consultation focusing on energy efficiency and use of renewable energy sources. Sustainable Energy Portal has been set up in line with the Energy Law (Article 351) to gather and provide information in regard to efficient use of energy and renewable energy sources in Slovenia.
Eco-innovation is among other topics Eco-innovation is among other topics Eco-innovation is among other topics Eco-innovation is among other topics Eco-innovation is among other topics Eco-innovation is among other topics
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other
Collaborative platforms and infrastructure
37
Category Name of instrument Overall relevance for eco-innovation
Relevance for CE
Relevance for the innovation chain
Clusters, networks, platforms (e.g. industrial symbiosis platforms)
The Public Scholarship, Development, Disability and Maintenance Fund of the Republic of Slovenia as the central national management institution for scholarships and development of human resources has supported 10 competence centres for human resource development for 2019-2022. A competence centre “Networks for transition to circular economy” was setup (KOC krožno gospodarstvo). Slovenia is financially supporting the implementation of the EUREKA InnoVest Programme (E!InnoVest) that aims to boost the investment awareness and investment and business readiness amongst the innovative SMEs, promote the most promising of them towards the investment community and actively facilitate investment matching with international investors. The programme is open to Slovenia SMEs. Podjetniški portal (the Entrepreneur’s Page) run by SPIRIT (Public Agency for Entrepreneurship, Internationalisation, Foreign Investments and Technology) offers information and advice, how to start and develop a company, market products and services. It also promotes, Inter alia, creativity, innovation, sustainability in entrepreneurship amongst the young generation (see page Mladi in podjetništvo). Strategic Research and innovation Partnerships (SRIPs), especially the SRIP Networks for the Transition to Circular Economy. SRIPs were established by the end of 2016 recognising the need for cooperation and integration on each of the nine areas of application of the Slovenian Smart Specialisation Strategy (S4). SPIRIT also supports (subsidizes) the work of “actors of innovative environment” (Technology parks and incubators). In January 2020 the third call for the period 2020-2022 was concluded. However, no special focus is given to circular economy and/or eco-innovations. A Consortium of technology transfer offices of public research organizations was setup in 2017 (supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, and the European Regional Development Fund). Coordinated by “Jožef Stefan” it brings together 7 other consortium partners (public research organisations) with an aim to encourage transfer of scientific discoveries to business sector.
Eco-innovation is among other topics Eco-innovation is among other topics Eco-innovation is among other topics Eco-innovation is among other topics
Cross-cutting Cross-cutting Cross-cutting Cross-cutting Cross-cutting
Cross-cutting Cross-cutting Cross-cutting Cross-cutting Cross-cutting Commercialisation
Dedicated support to new research infrastructure (piloting facilities)
Research Infrastructures Roadmap 2011-2020 sets up and presents Slovenian priorities in the area of research infrastructure. It complements the Research and Innovation Strategy of Slovenia 2011-2020; revised in 2016 (Revizija 2016). Slovenian Research Agency (SRA) through year-long contracts co-finances the operation, management and maintenance of research organisations’ infrastructure as support to the research activity. The SRA finances infrastructure programmes and program groups. SRA also occasionally issues public tenders for subsidising equipment purchase (last tender in March 2020).
Eco-innovation is among other topics Eco-innovation is among other topics
Cross-cutting Cross-cutting
Cross-cutting Cross-cutting
other
About the
Eco-Innovation
Observatory (EIO)
The Eco-Innovation Observatory (EIO) is the initiative financed by the European Commission’s Directorate-
General for the Environment. The Observatory is developing an integrated information source and a series
of analyses on eco-innovation trends and markets, targeting business, innovation service providers, policy
makers as well as researchers and analysts.
Visit EIO and DG ENV EcoAP website and register to get access to more information
and to access all EIO reports, briefs and databases.
www.eco-innovation.eu
ec.europa.eu/environment/ecoap
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